LA2E2-15 Introduction to German Law
Introductory description
This module prepares students on the Law with German LL.B. for their year abroad and the academic demands of Warwick’s partner universities in Germany. The module is taught in German and is available to any student with an adequate knowledge of the language.
Module aims
Students are introduced to the basic features of the German legal system and the German legal method. The module will cover a general overview of German law, a short introduction into constitutional law and a discussion of key concepts of German private law as laid down in the Civil Code (BGB). Throughout the themes are presented by using the specific German legal method.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
week 1: introduction and overview
week2: Germany as a social, federal and democratic republic under the rule of law
week 3: organs of the state and law-making
week 4: the basic rights under the German constitution
week 5: introduction to to Civil Code and the German case method
week 6: reading week
week 7: claims for performance: contracting, capacity
week 8: claims for performance: agency, mistakes,
week 9: claims for damages: breach, impossibility, default
week 10: summary and conclusions
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand the basic concepts and the structure of German law
- Identify key concepts of the German constitution, in particular the notion of basic rights
- Find, identify and apply court decisions
- Apply the German Civil Code by solving cases and commenting on German Court decisions
- Apply the law according to the specific legal methodology applied in German law
- Identify and apply relevant statutes
- Identify questions of law that require interpretation and analyse and evaluate possible solutions developing an own argument
- Carry out independent work/case solving (planning and managing tasks with limited guidance)
- Use journals, commentaries, court decisions relevant to the case
- Understand and apply German Law and German Legal Terminology
- Write and speak about German Law (e.g. case solving) with accurate use of specific terms and lingual structure
Indicative reading list
Klunzinger, Einführung in das Bürgerliche Recht: Grundkurs für Studierende der Rechts- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften, 2019, 17th edition
Simon and Funk-Baker, Deutsche Rechtssprache: ein Studien- und Arbeitsbuch mit Einführung in das deutsche Recht, 2017, 6th edition
Robbers, Einführung in das deutsche Recht, 2012, 5th edition
International
This module is taught in German and applies German law and methodologies.
Subject specific skills
knowledge of aspects of German constitutional law
knowledge of aspects of German private law
Transferable skills
analysing legal texts in German
ability to find judgment and academic commentary
legal interpretation and argumentation
familiarity with German legal method
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 102 hours (68%) |
| Assessment | 22 hours (15%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group B1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Exam | 100% | 22 hours | No |
|
This is a 2hr exam. |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Exam: students receive a generic feedback sheet
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of ULAA-M134 Undergraduate Law with German Law